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Messier Index/M3

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NGC 5272
Observation data (J2000 epoch)
ClassVI
ConstellationCanes Venatici
Right ascension13h 42m 11.23s[1]
Declination28° 22′ 31.6″[1]
Distance33.9 kly (10.4 kpc)
Apparent magnitude (V)+6.2[1]
Apparent dimensions (V)18′.0
Physical characteristics
Mass4.87 x 1035 kg kg (245 000 M)
Radius90 ly
VHB-
Estimated age8 x 109 years
Notable features-
Other designationsNGC 5272[1]

Messier 3 (also known as M3 or NGC 5272) is a globular cluster in the constellation Canes Venatici. It was discovered by Charles Messier in 1764, and resolved into stars by William Herschel around 1784. This cluster is one of the largest and brightest, and is made up of around 500,000 stars. It is located at a distance of about 33,900 light-years away from Earth. M3 has an apparent magnitude of 6.2, making it visible to the naked eye under dark conditions. From a moderate-sized telescope, the cluster is fully defined.



  1. a b c d "SIMBAD Astronomical Database". Results for NGC 5272. Retrieved 2006-11-15.